The Thief of Hearts

Chapter 5

I was seated comfortably on a desk in the Journalism multipurpose room, warm in a huge burgundy sweater and swinging my legs. I was waiting on the rest of my team to arrive so we could get down to business. I tried to focus on my excitement about the project than to get all pissed at the rain for dampening my mood.

My thoughts drifted back to the stupid note I left on the locker door. I swear I didn't know what I was thinking when I put that thing there in the first place. The asshole probably think this was all a joke! He/she is probably thinking that it's just a tiny little purse and that I could easily replace it.

The truth was, the purse was actually one of those things that I left home with. It was my eldest sister's and she gave to me right before I left. That purse was among the things that would comfort me when I was homesick. Now, it's gone and some strange, idiot, asshole seem to be playing some kind of sick game with me!

The door opening behind me pulled me out of my depressing thoughts. Cordelia walked in, trailed by the rest of the team, talking animatedly to each other. They quickly stopped as they saw me.

"What's with the face?" Ayden asked.

I forced a smile on my face as I replied nonchalantly. "Oh nothing. Delia, can you fill us in on the details?"

Cordelia stepped forward proudly, as if she found joy in knowing something important that know one else does. She looked around the room, probably checking to see if we were all present before she began.

"Ok guys. Mr Marcel gave us the project of covering the science fair which begins next week." She said and the whole​ room groaned in annoyance. Is this what Mr. M calls big! Ugh I'm going to die of boredom!

I tried to sound enthusiastic as I asked my first question. "Did he give us a specific medium to publish or broadcast via?"

"Oh, that's the challenge Lia." Delia replied in a tone that screamed she just forgot to mention to most important stuff.  "We are required to do about four mediums, paper, radio and tv as well as social media."

She said the last part as if she had already called dibs on it. Well if she wanted to go social, then fine everyone already knew her anyway. "And one more thing," she said, "you're in charge of the operations Thalia."

"Oh, ok....

Wait, what?" I'm not sure I just heard that.

Delia rolled her eyes, "you're the one who said you wanted a challenge, well there it is. Let's see how well you can handle it."

I was a little bit pissed that Mr Marcel didn't tell me this himself, but was also taken aback by the sudden role change. I was usually the one who just took the role that I could do best so that everyone wins in the end. But now I'm on my own with a sometimes lazy set of kids.

"Ok, fine." I sighed, "since that's the case, boys, book the equipments needed by the end of this week, I'll send you the list." I said, to which the three boys on the team nodded.

" And the rest of you, think about the job that you want to take on. I have dibs on the news story, so I'm in charge of paper. We'll meet again tomorrow to sort out the other arrangements okay?"

They all shouted a "yes sir... Ehem... ma'am" before they filed out one by one.

Ayden stayed behind, probably to ask about something he missed out on during the short meeting we had. I was still sitting on the desk top, swinging my legs lazily, enjoying the feel of my feet lightly brushing the floor. I was also deep in thoughts about my purse and some other random stuff.

"Hey Lia." Ayden said, pulling me out of my musing.

"Sup?" I replied, trying my best cheerful voice, though I barely felt it.

"What's wrong?" He said, as if seeing right through me.

I shrugged my shoulders carelessly. "Nothing, I'm fine." I said, "how are you doing?"

"No, seriously, whats bothering you?" He said, ignoring my attempt to turn the conversation away from my half hearted mood.

I thought about all the things that had been going on lately and my recent.... Nuisance. I decided to half lie instead of spilling my guts out on some guy who I once had a crush on but sometimes can't stand him....

"I wanna go home." I said, allowing a tear to fall for a totally different reason. "I mean, not the stupid apartment near campus where I stay for school, I wanna go home home!"

I needed a hug, and I needed it fast. Ayden sighed he as moved closer to me, putting his arms around my shoulders and pulled me close to his chest. I held on for dear life as I let my tears flow free.

"I miss my mom and sisters, my annoying brother and stubborn little nephew. I miss my cat, oh kitty, I hate that I miss you so much my love!" I sobbed in his chest as breathed in his manly cologne, half smiling as it seemed to make me feel better.

"It's going to be ok," Ayden patted my back calmly trying to cheer me up, but I could tell he wasn't so calm himself. His heartbeat was going a mile a minute as if he was panicking. That was when I called myself a sadist, because I somehow found his reaction to my breakdown a bit amusing.

I'm a sick, sick, little girl....

I pulled away from him and gave him a tiny smile, trying desperately not to let it grow any bigger. I wiped my face with a hand kerchief that Ayden handed me and thanked him for 'being there for me.'

"You're welcome Lia." He replied as I turned to leave.

I headed straight to my apartment, against my wish to check the locker room again. I told myself that it was a waste of time and that I have assignments to complete before I start my big project with the news team.

✍✍✍✍✍

Keith's pov

I almost did a happy dance as I read and reread the delicate cursive writing on the note.

Omfg! She replied to me, she replied to me!!!!

I was right about one thing, she's a she. I wrong about something though, she isn't the shy type, or if she is, she was probably pissed as hell when she wrote this. Mmmm.... Feisty. I like.

I came back to the locker room again with every intention and self motivation to return the purse, and just like the other day, I changed my mind, immediately. This was slowly but gradually getting addictive and I just had to send a reply.

Ok, so it was Thursday and I still had enough days left before the dare was up, so why not play along until then huh? No harm no fowl.

I took out my pen and left my short sentences. Then quickly left the room, unnoticed.

So you are a girl. What's your name hun?